CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Background
The investigation of mechanical properties of aluminium-ferum composite is the research developed to study the mechanical properties of aluminium 2024
reinforced continuous stainless steel 304 fibers composite. It emphasizes the study on mechanical behavior of aluminium 2024 reinforced with continuous stainless steel
304 fibers composite with 3mm spacing and unidirectional arrangement.
Aluminium metal matrix composites are one of several classes of advanced materials which are expected to play a significant role in the development of future aerospace, automotive and military
applications. Due to the availability of high performance continuous fibers, these composites exhibit much improved properties. Especially, continuous metallic fibers, like molybdenum, stainless
steel, and tungsten that have the advantages of high strength, good ductility, large flexibility, and thus easiness to weave. By using continuous fibers in aluminium
metal matrix composite, the material properties improved in terms of specific strengths, stiffness at room and elevated temperatures and good wear resistance, compared to unreinforced structural
materials such as commercial metals and alloys.
Pressureless metal infiltration by casting is a process to produce the composite. The aluminium 2024 reinforced stainless steel 304 properties were
compared to unreinforced aluminium 2024 to study the material properties. To obtain the mechanical properties, tensile test, and charpy impact test conducted under
ASTM standard to determine the toughness, tensile strength, yield strength and
1
modulus of elasticity. Besides that the interface observation also conducted to study the surface between matrix and reinforcement.
1.2 Statement of the Purpose
The purpose of this research is to study and analyze the mechanical properties of aluminium 2024 reinforced stainless steel 304 and unreinforced aluminium 2024
as a comparison. The mechanical properties parameters observed are tensile properties and impact properties.
1.3 Hypotheses